A recent study predicts a substantial surge in biopharma employment in Ireland, estimating an increase of 21,000 jobs over the next three years. The report, titled ‘Skills for Biopharma,’ conducted by the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs (EGFSN), highlights the growing demand for expertise in this rapidly expanding field.
The projected job growth by 2027 reflects the consistent expansion of the biopharma sector in Ireland over the past half-decade. Serving as a cornerstone of the country’s technological landscape, biopharma employs a considerable workforce comprising tens of thousands of highly skilled professionals in diverse capacities. Moreover, the sector remains attractive to recent graduates nationwide, signalling sustained demand for talent.
Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Peter Burke T.D., underscores the vital role of the biopharma industry in Ireland’s economic prosperity, emphasizing its enduring significance over many years.
“This report shows that we expect strong growth in the sector requiring a continuing inflow of skilled workers. It is essential that Ireland rises to the challenge of providing the educated and trained workers needed to support this growth,” he said.
Burke disclosed that the biopharma industry directly employs over 50,000 individuals in Ireland. Today’s report, released on April 26th, indicates a concerning trend: the influx of graduates into the sector is anticipated to lag behind recruitment demands by approximately 3,000 individuals annually. To address this challenge, his department has established an implementation group tasked with advancing the recommendations outlined in the report. The group will be led by Patricia Quane, formerly associated with Astellas Pharma, who also spearheaded the steering group for this initiative.
“Beyond the overall growth in staff numbers, the sector also faces specific skills challenges arising from changes in manufacturing technologies and the digitalisation of processes. The sector also needs skills to underpin innovation and R&D, as well as to fill QC and regulatory roles,” said EGFSN chair Tony Donohoe.
“The education and training sectors must listen to what the industry needs and provide relevant courses in sufficient quantities where they can. There is a substantial opportunity for the Biopharma sector in Ireland if it can source the skills it needs over the next five years.”
(Source: Silicon Republic)
